We use cookies to customise content for your subscription and for analytics.If you continue to browse Lexology, we will assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. For further information please read our Cookie Policy.

Rose v. Rose

The testator owned two abutting lots in Wellesley, shown as Lot 7 and Lot 8. In her will dated September 22, 1962, the testator bequeathed Lot 8 to her son. After executing her will, however, the testator recorded a new plan with the town planning board to subdivide her two lots. Under the new plan, Lot 7 was designated as Lot A, and Lot 8 was effectively split in two and designated as Lots 1 and 2. Thereafter, Lot A and Lot 2 were assessed as one lot for tax purposes, and the testator sold Lot 1 to third parties.

The testator died in 1983 without having changed her will.

The heirs of the testator's son, who had been bequeathed Lot 8, filed a petition for partition in the probate court, claiming ownership of the portion of Lot 8 that still remained under the new plan. The probate court held on a motion for summary judgment that the specific bequest to the son was adeemed because Lot 8 no longer existed.

The Appeals Court affirmed the probate court judgment. The Court recognized the general rule that where only part of real property owned by a testator is conveyed during the testator's life, a partial ademption results and the bequest is not adeemed as to the remaining part. Nevertheless, the Court held that the specific bequest of Lot 8 was adeemed because the merger of Lot 8 with Lot 7 arose from the "affirmative acts" of the testator. This merger was not the product of the common-law doctrine of merger or a local bylaw that caused the lots to merge.

Compare jurisdictions:Arbitration

“I make an effort to read at least several articles each day and regularly share the particularly relevant or interesting articles with my colleagues. I greatly appreciate the inclusion of the Lexology service by the State Bar of Texas and have recommended that my friends and colleagues join the Corporate Counsel Section of the State Bar in order to obtain this service for themselves.”